The central research
interest of Saed Dababneh is in the field of nuclear physics and its
applications.

Neutron diffusion
calculations in different reactor geometries is one line of research for
the graduate students of Dr. Dababneh. This includes new methodologies
relevant for criticality as well as flux calculations. In addition, the
application of Monte Carlo techniques in different disciplines like medical
physics, radiation protection and safety of nuclear facilities is a main
interest.

The study of nuclear
reactions important to the understanding of energy production and the
origin of the elements in stars and in explosive stellar environments had
been the focus of many publications during the last decade. This
understanding can be achieved by investigating nuclear reactions
experimentally. Some of these experiments are characterized by very weak
yields and thus require advanced data reduction techniques. Probabilistic
computer simulations are gaining high importance in the field, hence part
of the expertise of the students of Dr. Dababneh is directed to Monte Carlo
techniques.

In
light of the announced Jordanian nuclear program, our vision considers with
care the anticipated demand for highly qualified personnel. Consequently,
capacity-building must be placed in the context of a systematic approach
that takes into consideration all the needs of the national nuclear
program.

Both
graduate and the coming undergraduate curricula at BAU are basically
designed to teach basic principles and fundamental techniques that provide
the student with the necessary background enabling him to either pursue his
even higher education in nuclear physics or other related disciplines, or
to directly participate in the local and regional relevant projects. Graduates of this discipline work in industry, medical
facilities in addition to power plants. They also fit in the research and
development facilities, in the service industries, the government,
consultancy, management among other related fields.

We
witnessed the first graduates from the M.Sc. program in 2009. Many of the
students visited, or will visit, advanced labs such as GSI in Darmstadt,
Germany. The students have also been locally engaged in scientific and
training activities at relevant institutions. The thematic scope of their
theses is wide and covers in addition to experimental and theoretical
nuclear physics, medical and industrial applications as well.

TEACHING

Dr. Dababneh has taught the following courses:

1.Nuclear Reactor Physics
(Graduate).

2.Nuclear Physics
(Graduate).

3.Experimental Techniques
in Nuclear Physics (Graduate).

4.Computational Physics
(Graduate).

5.Theoretical Nuclear
Physics (Graduate).

6.Radiation Detection and
Measurement (Graduate).

7.Advanced Mathematical
Physics (Graduate).

8.Advanced Statistical
Physics (Graduate).

9.Accelerator Physics
(Graduate).

10.Special Topics in
Nuclear Physics (Graduate).

11.Undergraduate Nuclear
Physics.

12.Undergraduate
Statistical and Thermal Physics.

13.Undergraduate (first
year) general physics courses.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

1)A solution of the
neutron diffusion equation in hemispherical symmetry using the homotopy
perturbation method.

Kafa Khasawneh, Saed Dababneh,
Zaid Odibat.

Annals of Nuclear Energy 36
(2009) 1711.

2)Stellar He burning of 18O:
A measurement of low-energy resonances and their astrophysical
implications.